NWSL MATCH RECAP | Seattle Reign FC 2, Portland Thorns FC 0

SEATTLE, Wash. – Concluding a stretch of three games in eight days, Portland Thorns FC conceded a goal in each half, falling 2-0 to Seattle Reign FC in front 4,270 fans at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night.

The match marked the second of three meetings, and the first of two at Memorial Stadium this season between Portland and Seattle. In addition, the match was Thorns FC's fifth road match in their last eight matches.

Portland (5-4-3, 18pts) registered seven shots in the first half, including several scoring chances. Christine Sinclair created the best opportunity for Thorns FC in the 43rd minute, firing a powerful left-footed strike from the edge of the box that missed just wide of the right post.

Trailing 1-0 after a goal by Seattle’s Megan Rapinoe in first-half stoppage time, Portland came out in search of an equalizer in the second half. A bouncing ball in the box took a deflection off a Reign FC player and Lindsey Horan pounced on the loose ball, firing a shot from close range, but Seattle goalkeeper Haley Kopmeyer made the stop.

Continuing on the attack, Amandine Henry fired a knuckling shot from distance towards goal that was blocked by a Seattle player out for a corner kick in the 74th minute. Additionally, Horan found space dribbling down the left side, cutting a cross back towards the left post for Ashleigh Sykes, who slid in to with a side-footed attempt that just missed.

Seattle (5-2-5, 20pts) closed out the game as Rapinoe tallied her second goal of the match in the 81st minute.

Up next, Portland travels to square off against the Houston Dash in a road match on Saturday, July 8, at BBVA Compass Stadium; kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. (Pacific) with a live, high-definition web stream available at www.nwslsoccer.com and www.go90.com.

Notes:

Midfielder Mana Shim made her 45th career start for Portland, moving into a tied for fifth place all-time in career starts, while also becoming the fourth player in club history to reach 4,000 career minutes.

Midfielder Allie Long appeared in her 90th career match for Thorns FC. She is the eighth player in league history to have appeared in at least 90 career games.

Midfielders Dagny Brynjarsdottir and Henry played in their final match before departing to join their respective national teams for the 2017 European Championships. Forward Nadia Nadim, who was unavailable due to injury, also heads to Europe for the tournament.